Which dependents are eligible for Chapter 35 benefits?

We have moved! The Tulare County Veterans Service Office (TCVSO) has temporarily relocated to 3350 W. Mineral King Ave. in Visalia while our new permanent location at 3348 W. Mineral King (right next door) undergoes renovations. We anticipate starting to see clients there on Tuesday.

This week I’ll provide information about a benefit available for veterans’ dependents: The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) Program, also known as the Chapter 35 benefit program.

The program provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. Under the program, dependents can receive up to 45 months of educational benefits, which may be used for degree or certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training; it can apply to correspondence courses for veterans’ spouses. Under certain conditions, remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may also be approved. For more information, go to the Veterans Administration (VA) website at www.va.gov and select the Dependents’ Educational Assistance link under Veteran Services.

So, who is eligible for these benefits? If you are the son, daughter, stepchild, adopted child, or spouse of a veteran (or in some cases, a servicemember) who:

Died or is permanently and totally disabled as a result of a service-connected disability (i.e., a disability resulting from active service in the Armed Forces).

Died from any cause while such permanent and total service-connected disability was in existence.

Is missing in action or has been captured in the line of duty by a hostile force.

Is being forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power.

Is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service-connected, permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability.

If you need further assistance in determining whether you meet the eligibility requirements, you may contact our office and we will be happy to help you.

There are also certain periods of eligibility, which apply to the DEA benefit. If you are the son or daughter of a qualifying veteran and wish to receive benefits for attending school or job training, you must be between the ages of 18 and 26. Marital status does not disqualify you from receiving this benefit. If you are within that age group and still in the Armed Forces, the benefit may not be used while on active duty; however, the VA can extend your period of eligibility by the number of months and days equal to the time spent on active duty. To receive the benefit, your service discharge must not be under dishonorable conditions, and in most cases, the VA will not extend your eligibility period beyond your thirty-first birthday.

If you are the spouse of a qualifying veteran, the benefits end 10 years from the date that the VA finds you eligible or from the date of the death of your veteran spouse. The exception to this rule is when the veteran is rated permanently and totally disabled (this must occur within three years from the date of military discharge); in such cases, the period of eligibility is 20 years from the effective date of the rating. For surviving spouses (spouses of servicemembers who died on active duty), the benefit period ends 20 years from the date of death.

If you think you may qualify for these benefits, you need to submit an application. First, make sure that the selected program is approved for VA training. If this is not clear, you or your school administrator may contact the VA for further clarification of the requirements. Usually, you can speak with the VA certifying official at the selected school, and he or she will assist you in completing the required application form and enrollment certification; the certifying official will then submit the application to the VA’s regional office. If the school officials can’t help you complete the DEA benefits application form, then our office can assist you; however, you will still need the certifying official at your chosen school to complete the certification form.

All that being said, there may be certain exceptions to these requirements. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office.

Ken Cruickshank, the Veterans Services Officer for Tulare County, is a retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer. Contact him at the Veterans Services Office at 3350 W. Mineral King Ave., Visalia; by phone at 559-684-4960 or by email at KCruicks@tularehhsa.org.